Virtual Realms: Bye Server Transfer $$$, Hello Itemshop $$$ !

I guess we all should've seen it coming, when they promised Virtual realms in 5.4 they basically were cutting off one of their main sources of revenue, character transfer services. So now they'll have to add something else in it's place to make equal revenue. It'll start with an itemshop for 100% XP boost items, but if that isn't selling enough they'll probably start adding more convincing and essential items.

In other words, the underpopulated realm solution = Blizzard going to find other ways to make money = You're fucked. Everyone who doesn't want to feel subpar when leveling a (new) alt is going to want to spend $5-10 (whatever they'll price it) on the XP boost. Then at max level I bet they'll start adding 100% rep boosts ("hello competitive raiders, would you like to buy faster rep vendor access and gearing?"). And if that isn't enough... then they'll start adding more...

I'm quite sure many smart customers do, because sometimes it leads to obscene situations and a lower quality of the products they used to love. Many things can and often go wrong when companies try to find new ways of making money. I think this might just be one of those slip-ups. Expect many "Itemshop QQ"-threads to repeat itself on these forums for the next few years...

You find that having to buy a 100% XP boost (or later on rep boosts and who else knows what) to be as efficient as possible at the game an improvement of your enjoyment of the game? Odd fellow, you. Feel free to explain how an itemshop is going to improve the quality of your game though!

I guess we all should've seen it coming, when they promised Virtual realms in 5.4 they basically were cutting off one of their main sources of revenue, character transfer services. So now they'll have to add something else in it's place to make equal revenue. It'll start with an itemshop for 100% XP boost items, but if that isn't selling enough they'll probably start adding more convincing and essential items.

In other words, the underpopulated realm solution = Blizzard going to find other ways to make money = You're fucked. Everyone who doesn't want to feel subpar when leveling a (new) alt is going to want to spend $5-10 (whatever they'll price it) on the XP boost. Then at max level I bet they'll start adding 100% rep boosts ("hello competitive raiders, would you like to buy faster rep vendor access and gearing?"). And if that isn't enough... then they'll start adding more...

this is the dumbest argument i've seen all day. we're getting fucked because we can finally not have to worry about transferring realms?

i'll trade that any day. also once again another thread rife with slipper slope analogies saying that now they're going to add heroic gear into the cash shop and now you're saying they're going to add day1 pay2win rep boosters?